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December 16, 2009

Confusion reigns over marijuana law

By The Mainebiz News Staff

Lawmakers and communities are grappling with how to implement the state's new medical marijuana bill, approved by voters during the November referendum.

A 14-member gubernatorial task force is still working to recommend ways to word the bill, which would expand the use of medical marijuana and establish a regulated system to dispense it, according to Capitol News Service. The task force's recommendations on how to establish dispensaries, identify those allowed to use medical marijuana and protect patient privacy will ultimately be considered and resolved by the Legislature.

But a task member's recommendation to give oversight over growing the marijuana to the state Department of Agriculture has irked others involved in the medical marijuana campaign, according to the Kennebec Journal. Portland Rep. Anne Haskell plans to introduce an amendment to allow large greenhouses to bid on growing rights as a way to ensure the quality of the product. But Jonathan Leavitt, who organized the campaign for the referendum question, said "putting this in control of agribusiness instead of small farmers is an offense to everyone who is a small farmer," according to the paper.

Meanwhile, the city of Brewer yesterday approved a six-month moratorium on locating medical marijuana clinics in the city, according to the Bangor Daily News. City councilors opted for the moratorium in order to prevent clinics from opening before the state has established guidelines on licensing, management and siting of dispensaries, according to the paper.

Go to the article from Capitol News Service >>
Go to the article from the Kennebec Journal >>
Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News >>

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